Robert Garrett and Adam Rooney both endured bad days at the office for their countries over the weekend.

The duo were in action on Friday night for their respective Under-21 squads.

Garrett played the full ninety minutes in Northern Ireland's 3-0 loss at home to Germany.

The European Championship qualifier was heading for a draw until three quick-fire goals from the Germans in the last twelve minutes.

The Ulstermen now travel to Luxembourg for another qualifier on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, Adam Rooney limped off during the Republic's 2-0 defeat at home to Portugal.

Goals from Paulo Machado and Miguel Veloso came before Rooney's 77th minute substitution due to a thigh strain.

The Irish Under 21's next test is against England, in Cork, on October 16th.

Meanwhile, on-loan defender Gabriel Zakuani featured for DR Congo in their 1-1 draw with Libya.

Former Blackburn striker Shabani Nonda opened the scoring with a 39th minute penalty but Libya equalised through Khaled Hussain 11 minutes later.

The point looked as though it would enough to send Zakuani's men through to the African Cup of Nations but a last-minute winner for Namibia in the group's other game meant that they instead qualified for January's tournament.

Mamady Sidibe's Mali can still make the competition, however. Their group weren't in action over the weekend but they face Togo away in their final qualifier next month.

The teams are tied on 9 points at the top of Group Nine with Mali ahead on goals scored.

Both teams will be looking for the win, however, as third-placed Benin could replicate Namibia and sneak into the tournament at the final stage.